Thailand closes border crossings with Cambodia and recalls ambassador as tensions flare
A Thai Army statement said five soldiers were wounded when one of them stepped on a land mine in a border area.
The incident drew a swift response from the Thai government. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the Foreign Ministry would make an official protest to Cambodia, and further measures would be considered.
The land mine incident on Wednesday came a week after three other Thai soldiers were wounded after one stepped on a land mine and lost a foot in a different area along the border, which has several small areas claimed by both countries.
Thai authorities say that the mines were newly laid along paths that by mutual agreement were supposed to be safe. They said the mines were Russian-made and not of a type employed by Thailand's military.
The army statement called on Cambodia 'to take responsibility for this incident, which constitutes a serious threat to peace and stability in the border region between the two countries.'
Cambodia rejected the Thai version of the events as 'baseless accusations.' Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said the land mine explosion took place on Cambodian territory and charged that Thailand had violated a 2000 agreement 'regarding the use of agreed paths for patrols.'
Many border checkpoints had already been closed by one side or the other or operated with restrictions after relations between the neighbors deteriorated following an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in one of several small contested patches of land.
Efforts to defuse the situation have been hindered by the nationalist passions that flared in both countries. There is historical enmity between the two nations.
There have been major political consequences in Thailand, with former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended from office last month after making what critics saw as a disparaging comment about her country's military in a phone call to Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who leaked a recording of it.
Cambodia has denied that it laid new mines along the border, pointing out that many unexploded mines and other ordnance remain all over the country, a legacy of civil war and unrest that began in 1970 and ended only in 1998.
Since the end of that fighting, nearly 20,000 Cambodians have been killed and about 45,000 injured by leftover war explosives. The number of casualties has sharply declined over time; and last year there were only 49 deaths.
Saksornchai writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Sopheng Cheang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, contributed to this report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
American Military News
15 minutes ago
- American Military News
Zelenskyy Vows More Attacks Inside Russia As Civilian Casualties Mount In Eastern Ukraine
Civilian deaths mounted as Russia continued to press its offensive in eastern Ukraine, claiming to have captured two more villages, as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to retaliate with further attacks inside Russia. Ukraine did not immediately comment directly on claims by the Russian Defense Ministry that its forces had on July 26 captured Zeleniy Hai in the Donetsk region and the village of Malyivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Zelenskyy did acknowledge heavy fighting along the frontlines in Ukraine's eastern regions, but he also spoke of 'successful actions by our units' in the embattled Sumy region and said his forces were 'eliminating the occupiers in the border areas.' Reports from both sides could not immediately be verified. Zelenskyy also said the focal point of Russian assaults remained near the important logistics hub of Pokrovsk, a city with a prewar population of more than 60,000 but which now is mostly in ruins from Russian air strikes. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian military commander Oleksandr Syrskiy identified Pokrovsk as an area requiring 'special attention' amid constant Russian attacks. Military spokesman Viktor Trehubov told Ukrainian TV that Russian forces were attacking Pokrovsk in 'a small torrent…that simply does not stop' The violence comes three days after Ukrainian and Russian officials held a third direct meeting in Istanbul amid efforts to end the conflict, which ignited into a full-blown war following Russia's invasion of February 2022. Those talks made progress on further swaps of prisoners and the remains of fallen soldiers, but no breakthroughs were apparent on efforts to reach a cease-fire. US President Donald Trump, showing frustration at Russian leader Vladimir Putin's refusal to agree to a cease-fire, in mid-July threatened to impose new sanctions on Moscow if it doesn't reach a deal with Kyiv by early September. In an interview with Fox News broadcast on July 26, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Trump is becoming 'increasingly frustrated' that despite having good interactions with Putin during phone calls, 'it never leads anywhere.' Trump is 'losing his patience. He's losing his willingness to continue to wait for the Russian side to do something here, to bring an end to this war,' Rubio said, adding that there was 'no way that Putin could have sustained this war without Chinese support, particularly buying his oil.' Zelenskyy has said Russia's latest attacks were a 'response' to Kyiv's proposal of an immediate cease-fire during the peace talks. Zelenskyy vowed to retaliate with further attacks on military sites inside Russia after civilian deaths mounted on July 26 in multiple Ukrainian regions under the fire of Russian artillery and drone strikes. 'Today, unfortunately, there were numerous Russian strikes on our cities and our communities: Sumy – including Ukrainian energy infrastructure, as well as Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson region, and Donetsk region,' Zelenskyy said in his July 26 video address. 'Such strikes certainly cannot be left without response, and Ukrainian long-range drones ensure one,' he posted separately on X. 'Russian military enterprises, Russian logistics, and Russian airfields must see that Russia's own war is now hitting them back with real consequences,' Zelenskyy posted. Zelenskyy said he instructed officials to be more active in attracting external funding for drones. 'I also instructed government officials and the defense minister to more actively review all our agreements we have with our partners — the ones we must implement fully, but which, unfortunately, are currently still only partially being carried out,' he added without being specific. Zelenskyy has announced that his country had secured funding for three US-made Patriot missile defense systems and is negotiating for seven more of the air-defense systems, part of a new agreement that enables European allies to buy US weaponry for Kyiv. Following Zelenskyy's latest remarks, Russian authorities reported attacks inside the country. Aleksandr Khinshtein, governor of Russia's Kursk region, on July 26 claimed that a Ukranian drone had killed one person in the village of Obesta, about 5 kilometers from the border. And authorities in the Volgograd region said falling debris from destroyed Ukrainian drones disrupted railway power supply near the border area. Traffic at the city's airport was also disrupted, officials said. Civilian Casualties Mount Following Russia's large-scale overnight attacks on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions — which left multiple people dead and injured — the head of the regional military administration, Serhiy Lysak, said the Russian military attacked the Nikopol and Synelnykove districts of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Lysak said a 66-year-old man died in the Nikopol region, while three people were injured in the Synelnykove district. Serhiy Gorbunov, military administrator of the strategic frontline city of Kostyantynivka, wrote on social media that a civilian was killed as the result of a drone attack and urged residents to evacuate away from oncoming Russian forces. 'We urge all residents to take care of themselves and their loved ones! Do not ignore the threat — evacuate to safer regions in a timely manner,' he wrote. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said five people — including three emergency workers — were injured while responding to an earlier strike. Sumy military Governor Oleh Hryhorov said three people were hurt in air attacks in the northeast Ukrainian region. Russia denies targeting civilian areas despite widespread evidence of such attacks.
Los Angeles Times
15 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Thai and Cambodian leaders to meet in Malaysia for talks to end deadly border dispute
BANGKOK — Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet in Malaysia for talks to end hostilities, a spokesperson for the Thai prime minister's office said Sunday. This comes after pressure from President Trump to end a deadly border dispute, now in its fourth day, which has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 168,000. Jirayu Huangsap said acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend Monday's talks in response to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim 'to discuss peace efforts in the region.' The spokesperson also said Phumtham's Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, will also attend the talks, though this was not immediately confirmed by the Cambodian side. He added that Anwar was acting in his capacity as chair of the Assn. of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, held on an annual rotating basis by its 10 members. Trump posted on his social media site Saturday that he spoke to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and suggested he would not move forward with trade agreements with either country if the hostilities continued. He later said both sides agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire. Hun Manet said earlier Sunday his country agreed to pursue an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire.' He said Trump told him that Thailand had also agreed to halt attacks following the U.S. president's conversation with Phumtham. He said he tasked his foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, with coordinating the next steps with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and to engage directly with Thailand's foreign minister to implement the ceasefire. Thailand expressed cautious support. Phumtham thanked Trump and said that Thailand agreed in principle to a ceasefire but stressed the need for 'sincere intention' from Cambodia, the Thai Foreign Ministry said. Phumtham called for swift bilateral talks to discuss concrete steps toward a peaceful resolution, it said. The fighting flared Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the fighting. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia. Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting continued Sunday along parts of the contested border, with both sides refusing to budge and trading blame over renewed shelling and troop movements. Col. Richa Suksowanont, a Thai army deputy spokesperson, said Cambodian forces fired heavy artillery into Surin province, including at civilian homes, early Sunday. He said Cambodia also launched rocket attacks targeting the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, claimed by both countries, and other areas in a bid to reclaim territory secured by Thai troops. Thai forces responded with long-range artillery to strike Cambodian artillery and rocket launchers. Richa said Trump's efforts to mediate were a 'separate matter.' The battlefield operations will continue and a ceasefire can only happen if Cambodia formally initiates negotiations, he added. 'Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached while Cambodia is severely lacking in good faith and repeatedly violating the basic principles of human rights and humanitarian law,' Thailand's Foreign Ministry said separately. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of escalating the violence with bombardment of Cambodian territory early Sunday, followed by a 'large-scale incursion' involving tanks and ground troops in multiple areas. 'Such actions undermine all efforts toward peaceful resolution and expose Thailand's clear intent to escalate rather than de-escalate the conflict,' she said. Thailand on Sunday reported a new death of a soldier, bringing the total number of fatalities to 21, mostly civilians. Cambodia said 13 people have been killed. More than 131,000 people in Thailand have evacuated to safe locations and over 37,000 people have fled three Cambodian provinces. Many border villages are mostly deserted, with many schools and hospitals shut. Pichayut Surasit, an air-conditioning technician in Thailand, said the sudden outbreak of fighting meant leaving his work in Bangkok to return home to protect his family. 'I didn't have the heart to continue with my work when I heard the news. I wanted to come back as soon as possible, but I had to wait until the evening,' he said. Now at a shelter in Surin housing some 6,000 evacuees, Pichayut worries for his wife and twin daughters, hoping the conflict will end soon so they can return to their home in Kap Choeng district, one of the hardest hit by shelling. Bualee Chanduang, a local vendor who moved to the same shelter Thursday with her family and pet rabbit, is counting on swift negotiations to end the violence. 'I pray for God to help so that both sides can agree to talk and end this war,' she said. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said he was praying for all those affected by war in the world, including 'for those affected by the clashes on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, especially the children and displaced families.' The United Nations Security Council has called on ASEAN, a regional bloc, to mediate peace between the two members. Human Rights Watch has condemned the reported use of cluster munitions, weapons banned by International law, in populated areas, and urged both governments to protect civilians. The 500-mile frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past clashes have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. Saksornchai and Cheang write for the Associated Press and reported from Bangkok and Samrong, Cambodia, respectively. AP writers Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Grant Peck in Bangkok, and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report.
Newsweek
16 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Thailand and Cambodia to Meet for Ceasefire Talks
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to sit down in Malaysia for ceasefire talks on Monday, the Associated Press reported. Newsweek has reached out to the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministries for comment via email on Sunday. Why It Matters Border fighting between the two countries over the past four days has drawn international calls for a ceasefire, as 34 people have been killed and more than 168,000 have been displaced, according to the AP. The fighting erupted Thursday after a land mine explosion killed five Thai soldiers, with each country accusing the other of starting the war. The conflict is part of a decades-long border dispute. President Donald Trump played a role in the lead-up to the ceasefire talks, speaking separately with both leaders on Saturday. In recent months, the administration has also been engaged in diplomatic efforts between India and Pakistan, as well as Israel and Hamas. What To Know Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim invited Thai and Cambodian leaders for talks on Monday, and both sides have accepted. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai are expected to attend, according to the AP. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn on Sunday in a call to deescalate tensions. "The United States is prepared to facilitate future discussions in order to ensure peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a Sunday statement. Trump spoke with both leaders separately on Saturday, writing in Truth Social posts that he pushed them for a ceasefire and noting the U.S. is negotiating trade deals with both countries. Earlier this month, the president informed them that the U.S. would levy a 36 percent tariff on their goods starting on August 1. In a Sunday update, the Royal Thai Armed Forces said that "a total of seven key areas of engagement were reported, representing a decrease of three areas from the first day of the conflict." The update continued: "Cambodian attacks remain irregular and may constitute violations of rules of engagement, posing further risk to border communities. The situation remains highly tense, and it is anticipated that Cambodia may be preparing for a major military operation prior to entering negotiations." At least 21 people in Thailand and 13 Cambodians have been reported dead, according to the AP. The Thai Armed Forces reported there have been 51 civilian casualties and 111 military casualties. More than 131,000 people have evacuated in Thailand, while over 37,000 have fled parts of Cambodia. The latest Thailand-Cambodia border dispute dates back to 1907, when a map drawn during French colonial rule in Cambodia marked a boundary still cited by Cambodian officials today. Thai officials dispute this demarcation and claim territory beyond it, including ancient Khmer-era Hindu temples, such as Preah Vihear, despite two International Court of Justice rulings favoring Cambodia's claims. Local villagers help unloading supplies donated by a charity for refugees from a truck, as they take refuge in Wat Phnom Kamboar, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia on July 27 amid the fighting between Thailand and... Local villagers help unloading supplies donated by a charity for refugees from a truck, as they take refuge in Wat Phnom Kamboar, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia on July 27 amid the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia. More AP Photo/Heng Sinith What People Are Saying Jairam Ramesh, an Indian politician in the Indian National Congress, wrote in an X post on Saturday: "President Trump is now mediating between Cambodia and Thailand and is using the opportunity to make the claim - for the 26th time - on a US-brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan." President Donald Trump wrote in a Saturday Truth Social post: "I just had a very good call with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and informed him of my discussions with Thailand, and its Acting Prime Minister. Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace. They are also looking to get back to the "Trading Table" with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS. They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE! It was an Honor to deal with both Countries. They have a long and storied History and Culture. They will hopefully get along for many years to come. When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" Sophal Ear, associate professor at Arizona State University, told Newsweek on Friday: "This crisis represents a critical test of American and Chinese influence in Southeast Asia. For the U.S., Thailand is a key strategic partner, essential to sustaining American military and diplomatic presence in the region. For China, Cambodia is a central player in its regional ambitions under the Belt and Road Initiative, serving as a strategic foothold." Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres wrote in an X post Saturday: "I remain available to assist in efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute." Cambodia's Ministry of Information wrote in an X post: "Despite repeated commitments to ceasefire, Thailand continues to violate its own promises. After initially agreeing to halt attacks following discussions with the Malaysian Prime Minister on 24th July 2025, Thailand resumed firing. Last night, 26th July, even after reaching another ceasefire agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Thai military launched heavy weapon attacks on Cambodian territory. Moreover, Thailand is breaching its agreement with the United States, the very supplier of its weapons, by using these arms under false pretenses and in inappropriate conditions." Thailand's Government Public Relations Department wrote in an X post: "Cambodia attacked civilian homes in Surin on 27 July, 4:30 AM, followed by a disinformation campaign. Thailand condemns this violation of international law, calls for cessation, & reserves the right to self-defense. International community is asked to condemn these inhumane acts."
